Pastoral Care in a Korean American Context

This book provides theoretical background and pastoral strategies for pastors, lay leaders, and congregation members to foster a restoration of the human dignity imputed by God and the good community God desires. It addresses issues in pastoral care and pays particular attention to Korean and Korean American contexts. Some of the specific issues addressed include wisdom for common life (Chung Yong) as a theological and pastoral task, tension between Confucianism and feminism, care of the abused and abusers in intimate violence, ageism and elderly care, racism and cultural identity of Korean youth, sexual ethics among Korean young adults, and depression and addiction among Korean American youth and young adults. All of the contributors have a strong background in clinical and/or pastoral practices in addition to theoretical expertise.

“Living in an age of interculturality that declares racial and ethnic identity rather than cultural homogeneity, this volume acknowledges the unique experiences of Korean Americans within America’s history of race relations. Whereas this is a Kairos moment for declaring and advocating culturally specific care ministries, this text is a must read in order to honor the lived experiences of Korean Americans!" (Lee H. Butler, Jr., PhD, Vice-President of Academic Affairs and Academic Dean, William Tabbernee Professor of the History of Religions and Africana Pastoral Psychology, Phillips Theological Seminary)

“Pastoral Care in a Korean American Context, edited by the Rev. Dr. Angella Son, as the first book entirely devoted to spiritual care with Korean Americans, is a much needed addition to the pastoral literature!  This anthology includes contributions from highly regarded Korean and Korean-American pastoral theologians today, who bring expertise to complex intersectional issues impacting Korean Americans across generations.” (Pamela Cooper-White, Dean and Christiane Brooks Johnson Professor of Psychology and Religion, Union Theological Seminary, New York, and author of Shared Wisdom: Use of the Self in Pastoral Care and Counseling)

“I celebrate this trailblazing book, the first of its kind. With clinical expertise and scholarly wisdom, the contributors show how common issues take on unique form among those also contending with racism, acculturation, identity confusion, and Confucian values. Rich with case material and pastoral strategies, this collection is destined to become a classic and will transform how you view pastoral care." (Bonnie J. Miller-McLemore,E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Professor of Religion, Psychology, and Culture, Vanderbilt University Divinity School and Graduate Department of Religion, USA)

“This brave book succeeds beyond measure in advocating expansive approaches to pastoral care with Korean Americans across the lifespan. Seamlessly melding theology, social psychology, and pastoral psychotherapy, its authors delve into complexities of childhood shame, youthful sexuality, intimate partner violence, addiction, and discrimination against older adults. While engaging a particular community, readers gain entrance into a wider world of shared humanity.” (Robert C. Dykstra, Charlotte W. Newcombe Professor of Pastoral Theology, Princeton Theological Seminary, USA)

“We have waited more than a century for this book, the first of its kind to address the pastoral and spiritual care needs of Korean-Americans.  Angella Son and her colleagues bring into focus both the needs of the individual and their cultural and societal context. It is a must read for anyone seeking to provide care within Korean American contexts.”(Shari K. Brink, President & CEO, Blanton-Peale Institute & Counseling Center, USA)

“I am so excited to teach this book to my pastoral theology and care students, giving us fresh takes on addressing intimate violence, depression, racism, pastoral wisdom, addiction, and more. The book spotlights the experiences and voices of Korean and Korean American people. But check your own racist assumptions, because this book is absolutely for every pastoral care classroom!” (Eileen Campbell-Reed, Visiting Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology and Care, Union Theological Seminary, USA )

 

This brave, wise, pioneering, and practical text dares to address the often unnamed and misunderstood lived experience of many Koreans and Korean Americans as they struggle to bridge two cultures. While contextually specific, the chapters offer universally relevant theoretical insights, theological perspectives, and pastoral care strategies to all who encounter the pain of racism, addiction, ageism, and intimate violence.” (Carol J. Cook, Harrison Ray Anderson Professor of Pastoral Theology Emerita, Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, USA)

 

“Compelling case studies of struggles with addiction, intimate partner violence, depression, and sexual intimacy demonstrate how ageism, racism, and sexism are compounded by rigid Christian beliefs and Confucian values that intensify shame.  This innovative book describes how pastoral care and counseling can bring to light these religious sources of shame and explore spiritual sources for healing and wholeness for Korean Americans.” (Carrie Doehring, Professor of Pastoral Care, Iliff School of Theology, USA)

 

“Angella Son, in collaboration with other pastoral theologians, has provided a rich and much needed book on pastoral of Korean Americans, covering a wide number of issues such as intimate violence, shame, sex, racism and depression, and addictions. This book will be an important resource for pastoral educators and caregivers who are engaged in Korean American contexts.” (Ryan LaMothe, Professor of Pastoral Care and Counseling, Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology, USA)

 

“This book is the first of its kind authored mostly by leading Korean American pastoral theologians of various generations, covering wide-ranging topics about Korean American communities, a delightful resource full of useful information. This is a must read if you want to understand Korean American church communities and the challenges which they face.” (Kyungsig Samuel Lee, Edna & Lowell Craig Professor of Practical Theology, Spiritual Care,  Counseling, Claremont School of Theology, USA)

 

“What is it like to be considered a model minority, while being treated as a perpetual foreigner? In this book, Angella Son and a group of distinguished pastoral theologians raise questions such this and respond to them with carefully researched recommendations for pastors, churches, counselors, and allthose who want to offer informed and compassionate pastoral care to Korean Americans.” (Mary Clark Moschella, Roger J. Squire Professor of Pastoral Care, Yale University School of Theology, USA)

 

“Written by mostly outstanding Korean-American pastoral counseling professors, this long-awaited book is a trailblazer in Korean-American counseling. It will greatly improve the quality of Korean-Americans’ physical, mental, spiritual, cultural, and communal health. This superb work is a must-read for Korean-American pastors, Korean Americans, Korean diasporas, and cross-cultural professionals.” (Andrew Sung Park, Professor of Theology and Ethics, United Theological Seminary in Ohio, USA)

 

“Angella Son and 7 colleagues together provide Christian pastors and laity an essential, first ever resource for pastoral care with Korean Americans in the US and Korea. Naming the bi-cultural complexity of Confucian and Christian influences, the chaptersengage a wide range of issues including feminism and Confucianism, aging, intimate violence, addiction, navigating early and later adolescence, and racism.” (Nancy J. Ramsay, Emerita Professor of Pastoral Theology and Pastoral Care, Brite Divinity School, USA)

 

“Focused on Korean Americans, this timely and important book fills a significant gap in pastoral care literature. Issues of domestic violence, addiction, racism, intercultural identity, and ageism in Korean American communities and churches are explored with theoretical and theological depth. Each chapter considers the role of the Korean American church in promoting healing and social justice and proposes pastoral care practices.” (Karen D. Scheib, Professor of Pastoral Care and Pastoral Theology, Candler School of Theology, Emory University, USA)

Angella Son is Professor of Psychology and Religion at Drew University Theological School, USA.